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Major Events of March 1915: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 1915 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1915: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1915 British Order in Council Declaring War on German Commerce: Great Britain issued an official order in council declaring war on German commerce in response to Germany's declaration of a military area around the United Kingdom. The order condemned Germany's naval strategy, which threatened to destroy British and allied merchant vessels without regard for passenger and crew safety, and potentially endangered neutral shipping.
  • 02 Mar 1915 British Naval Bombardment of Dardanelles Forts: British Vice Admiral Carden initiated a strategic naval bombardment of Ottoman defensive fortifications in the Dardanelles Strait, marking a significant moment in the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I. This operation was part of the Allied attempt to secure a maritime route to Russia and potentially knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war.
  • 03 Mar 1915 National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Founded: The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was established, serving as the direct predecessor to NASA and laying the groundwork for future American aerospace research and development.
  • 04 Mar 1915 British Naval Strategy for Constantinople: Admiral Sackville Carden submitted revised strategic plans to Winston Churchill, outlining an ambitious 14-day naval approach to reach Constantinople, a critical military objective during World War I.
  • 05 Mar 1915 Battle of Hartmannswillerkopf: Intense Mountain Warfare: In a fierce engagement during World War I, French forces launched strategic attacks on German defensive positions at the Hartmannswillerkopf summit along the French-German border. The French initially captured one German position but were halted by robust German defense lines near the mountain's peak. Despite a successful initial advance, the Germans counterattacked and were repulsed, suffering approximately 200 casualties. A subsequent French attack two days later also failed to dislodge German forces from the strategic mountain location.
  • 06 Mar 1915 Lusitania Escort Incident: Communication Breakdown: British naval destroyers HMS Louis and Laverock were assigned to escort the RMS Lusitania to Liverpool. However, a critical communication failure occurred when Captain Daniel Dow only transmitted his position via coded message and proceeded to Liverpool without direct radio contact with the escort vessels, potentially compromising the ship's security during a dangerous maritime period of World War I.
  • 07 Mar 1915 Sinking of British Collier Bengrove by German U-Boat: On March 7, 1915, the British collier Bengrove was torpedoed in the Bristol Channel by the German submarine SM U-20, approximately 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) northeast of Ilfracombe, Devon, England. Despite the attack, all 33 crew members were successfully rescued, highlighting the maritime tensions during World War I.
  • 08 Mar 1915 FDNY Establishes First Rescue Company: New York City Fire Department Rescue Company 1 was established as the pioneering specialized rescue operations unit, setting a new standard for urban emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
  • 09 Mar 1915 Establishment of German 11th Army: On March 9, 1915, the German 11th Army was officially established. Initially positioned for operations on the Western Front, the army was quickly redeployed to the Eastern Front, where it played a significant role in the Serbian Campaign during World War I.
  • 10 Mar 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle Begins: British and Indian troops launch a strategic offensive against German positions in France during World War I. This was the first deliberately planned British offensive of the war, marking a significant moment in military tactics and Allied strategy.
  • 11 Mar 1915 HMS Bayano Sinking in World War I: On March 11, 1915, during World War I, the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Bayano was sunk in the North Channel. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of approximately 200 crew members, with only 26 survivors. Many bodies were subsequently washed up on the Isle of Man, highlighting the brutal maritime casualties of the war.
  • 12 Mar 1915 Allied Gallipoli Campaign Preparation: Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener appointed General Ian Hamilton to command an Allied expeditionary force of 78,000 men, tasking him with launching an assault on the strategic Gallipoli peninsula near the Dardanelles. This operation was designed to open a critical third front against the Central Powers during World War I, potentially breaking the stalemate on the Western Front by creating a new avenue of military engagement.
  • 13 Mar 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle Logistics Failure: During World War I, the British military's offensive at Neuve Chapelle was critically undermined by severe logistical challenges. Ineffective supply lines prevented adequate arming of front-line troops, forcing military command to postpone and ultimately abandon the planned offensive within two days of its initiation. This strategic failure highlighted the critical importance of military logistics in warfare.
  • 14 Mar 1915 SMS Dresden Scuttled During World War I: During World War I, the German light cruiser SMS Dresden was cornered off the coast of Chile by the Royal Navy after fleeing the disastrous Battle of the Falkland Islands. Facing inevitable capture, the crew abandoned and deliberately sank their own ship to prevent it from being seized by enemy forces.
  • 15 Mar 1915 Universal Studios Establishes Hollywood Lot: On March 15, 1915, Universal Studios officially opened Universal City on a sprawling 230-acre ranch located in the San Fernando Valley, California. This landmark event marked the beginning of what would become one of the most iconic film production facilities in Hollywood, setting the stage for the studio's significant role in the American entertainment industry.
  • 16 Mar 1915 Federal Trade Commission Established: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was officially organized, marking a significant milestone in U.S. government regulatory oversight of business practices and consumer protection.
  • 17 Mar 1915 First German Zeppelin Raid on Great Britain: During World War I, the Imperial German Army launched its inaugural airship raid against the United Kingdom. The mission, conducted by a Zeppelin airship, was ultimately unsuccessful due to severe weather conditions that prevented the crew from identifying and engaging strategic targets. This event marked an early attempt to bring aerial warfare directly to British soil, representing a significant technological and strategic development in military aviation.
  • 18 Mar 1915 Battle of Gallipoli: Major Naval Engagement: On March 18, 1915, a massive naval operation was conducted by British and French forces attempting to break through the strategic Dardanelles strait. The attack was a significant military engagement during World War I, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Allied powers. Three battleships were sunk, and several others were severely damaged by Turkish naval defenses, particularly sea mines.
  • 19 Mar 1915 Defence of India Act Enacted: The British colonial government in India enacted the Defence of India Act, granting extensive legal powers to enforce criminal law and maintain control over the colonial territory during a period of significant political tension.
  • 20 Mar 1915 Birth of Sviatoslav Richter: Sviatoslav Richter was a renowned Ukrainian classical pianist, widely considered one of the most significant and influential pianists of the 20th century. Known for his extraordinary technical skill and profound musical interpretations, Richter performed extensively across Europe and internationally, leaving an indelible mark on classical music performance.
  • 21 Mar 1915 Makita Corporation Founded in Japan: On March 21, 1915, Makita Corporation was established in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Originally founded as an electric motor sales and repair company, Makita would later become a world-renowned manufacturer of professional power tools, construction equipment, and outdoor power machinery. The company began its journey in a small workshop and gradually transformed into a global industrial powerhouse, known for innovation and high-quality engineering.
  • 22 Mar 1915 Russian Forces Capture Przemyśl Fortress During World War I: On March 22, 1915, Russian imperial forces successfully captured the strategically important Przemyśl fortress in Galicia (modern-day southeastern Poland), marking the end of a prolonged siege. This significant military engagement was a crucial moment in the Eastern Front of World War I, demonstrating the intense territorial struggles between the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires.
  • 23 Mar 1915 Battle of Hartmannswillerkopf: Intense Alpine Warfare: During World War I, French forces launched renewed attacks on the strategic Hartmannswillerkopf mountain position in the Vosges region. Despite advancing to within 150 meters of the summit and briefly capturing one German position, the French assault was ultimately halted by German defensive lines near the mountaintop.
  • 24 Mar 1915 Establishment of Ottoman Empire's Fifth Army: On March 24, 1915, during World War I, the Ottoman Empire established its Fifth Army under the strategic leadership of German military adviser Otto Liman von Sanders. This military reorganization was a critical defensive measure aimed at strengthening the Ottoman military's capabilities against potential Allied invasion and protecting the empire's strategic interests during the conflict.
  • 25 Mar 1915 German U-Boat Attacks Netherlands Merchant Ship: During World War I, on March 25, 1915, a German U-boat conducted a torpedo attack on the Netherlands merchant ship Medea, exemplifying the aggressive naval warfare tactics of the period and the increasing threat to maritime commerce.
  • 26 Mar 1915 Battle of Hartmannswillerkopf: During World War I, French forces launched a strategic offensive at Hartmannswillerkopf, a critical mountain summit in the Alsace region. After an intense three-hour artillery bombardment, French troops successfully captured the strategic high ground from German defenders, representing a significant tactical victory in the ongoing mountain warfare.
  • 27 Mar 1915 NACA Founded, Predecessor to NASA: The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was established in the United States, laying the groundwork for future aerospace innovation. This organization would eventually evolve into NASA, playing a pivotal role in advancing American aeronautical and space exploration capabilities.
  • 28 Mar 1915 Sinking of British Ocean Liner Falaba: During World War I, the German submarine U-28 torpedoed the British ocean liner Falaba in St George's Channel, resulting in a tragic loss of 104 civilian lives. This incident was an early example of unrestricted submarine warfare and heightened tensions between Germany and Allied nations.
  • 29 Mar 1915 Establishment of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors: The Society of British Aircraft Constructors was founded to create a comprehensive standards organization for the British aircraft industry. This professional body aimed to promote collaboration, establish technical standards, and support the growth of aerospace manufacturing in the United Kingdom during the early 20th century. Later renamed the Society of British Aerospace Companies in 1964, the organization played a crucial role in developing and standardizing aircraft design and production techniques.
  • 30 Mar 1915 Launch of HMS Foxglove, Royal Navy Minesweeper: On March 30, 1915, the Royal Navy minesweeper HMS Foxglove was launched at the Barclay Curle shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland. This vessel played a significant role during both World War I and World War II, serving as a critical component of naval mine clearance operations. Minesweepers like the Foxglove were essential in ensuring safe maritime navigation by detecting and removing naval mines that posed serious threats to military and merchant vessels.
  • 31 Mar 1915 Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage Becomes National Organization: On March 31, 1915, the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage officially established itself as a national organization, adopting a constitution and launching an aggressive suffrage campaign. This strategic move positioned the organization in direct competition with the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), signaling a more militant approach to women's voting rights.